TONGZHOU, Jiangsu Province, China, Jan. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today announced the joint opening of a state-of-the-art proving ground and a large wheel loader manufacturing facility in Tongzhou, Jiangsu Province. The new operations support the company's growing operations in China and other growth markets. As part of Caterpillar's increasing research and development presence in the Asia Pacific region, the Asia Pacific Proving Ground (APPG) provides validation and product development services for Cat® machinery produced in the region. The large wheel loader manufacturing facility is designed to suit the needs and requirements for quarry and mining applications in China and growth markets. The Cat® 986 large wheel loader, which is produced at the large wheel loader facility, was designed at Caterpillar's Wuxi R&D center and validated by the APPG.

"Caterpillar takes a long-term view of the market in China, and our focus on product development here will enable our strategy to win in China," said Steve Wunning, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for Resource Industries. "As we expand our portfolio of locally designed and produced machines in China, Caterpillar is better positioned to serve our customers in China and around the globe."

The Cat 986 large wheel loader is the first Cat machine designed, validated and built in China specifically for China and global markets. The machine was displayed at the recently concluded bauma China 2012, the most renowned trade show in the construction industry in China. Featuring the largest exhibit ever for the company, Caterpillar displayed nearly 50 machines and engines at bauma China in Shanghai, including a Tier 3 C7.1 ACERT Industrial Power Unit, which was also developed at the Caterpillar Wuxi R&D center and validated in various machines by the APPG.

Strategically located in Tongzhou at the mouth of the Yangtze River to the East Sea, the Tongzhou site provides a logistics advantage in terms of shipping machines from the Asia Pacific region and from inland China to the APPG for testing, and ultimately, the shipping of complete machines to marketplaces in China and around the world. In addition, the Tongzhou site is located near several of Caterpillar's existing manufacturing facilities in China, as well as the majority of the company's existing supply base in China.

With these new facilities in operation, Caterpillar now has 23 existing manufacturing facilities, four new facilities under construction, four R&D centers and three logistics and parts centers, employing more than 15,000 people across the country.

"This is a new important step as Caterpillar continues to systematically strengthen its business model in China," said Qihua Chen, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for China Operations and China country manager. "Caterpillar is committed to enabling customer success by providing the lowest owning and operating costs in the industry. We support our customers in China that take part in infrastructure development, energy production and resources utilization."

About Caterpillar: For more than 85 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. With 2011 sales and revenues of $60.138 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at: http://www.caterpillar.com.

Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements in this press release relate to future events and expectations and are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believe," "estimate," "will be," "will," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "project," "intend," "could," "should" or other similar words or expressions often identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our outlook, projections, forecasts or trend descriptions. These statements do not guarantee future performance, and we do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.

Caterpillar's actual results may differ materially from those described or implied in our forward-looking statements based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: (i) global economic conditions and economic conditions in the industries and markets we serve; (ii) government monetary or fiscal policies and infrastructure spending; (iii) commodity or component price increases and/or limited availability of raw materials and component products, including steel; (iv) our and our customers', dealers' and suppliers' ability to access and manage liquidity; (v) political and economic risks and instability, including national or international conflicts and civil unrest; (vi) our and Cat Financial's ability to: maintain credit ratings, avoid material increases in borrowing costs, and access capital markets; (vii) the financial condition and credit worthiness of Cat Financial's customers; (viii) inability to realize expected benefits from acquisitions and divestitures, including the acquisition of Bucyrus International, Inc.; (ix) international trade and investment policies; (x) challenges related to Tier 4 emissions compliance; (xi) market acceptance of our products and services; (xii) changes in the competitive environment, including market share, pricing and geographic and product mix of sales; (xiii) successful implementation of capacity expansion projects, cost reduction initiatives and efficiency or productivity initiatives, including the Caterpillar Production System; (xiv) sourcing practices of our dealers or original equipment manufacturers; (xv) compliance with environmental laws and regulations; (xvi) alleged or actual violations of trade or anti-corruption laws and regulations; (xvii) additional tax expense or exposure; (xviii) currency fluctuations; (xix) our or Cat Financial's compliance with financial covenants; (xx) increased pension plan funding obligations; (xxi) union disputes or other employee relations issues; (xxii) significant legal proceedings, claims, lawsuits or investigations; (xxiii) compliance requirements imposed if carbon emissions legislation and/or regulations are adopted; (xxiv) changes in accounting standards; (xxv) failure or breach of IT security; (xxvi) adverse effects of natural disasters; and (xxvii) other factors described in more detail under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 21, 2012 for the year ended December 31, 2011. This filing is available on our website at www.caterpillar.com/secfilings.

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